This morning The DutchBitch dropped me off at Schiphol so I could continue onward with the my vacation. That I ended up flying off to Bucharest so I could work is honestly not her fault, but that's basically what I did. This being a Monday, it was pretty much unavoidable. But I made up for it by having an early dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe Bucharest, so all was not lost.
The local Hard Rock is located north of downtown proper in Herastrau Park. As Spring has arrived, the park is just starting to green up, and a fair number of people were taking advantage of the sunshine to wander around the lakeside. After making my way past a small amusement park, I arrived in front of one of the most boring Hard Rock Cafes I've ever seen. I can't say for certain, but it looks as though it might have once been a US embassy. Strip away the wooden arches at the entrance, and it's pretty much just a giant cement brick. It really needs a giant guitar on top or something...
The car in the entryway is a nice touch.
The perimeter of the deck has a concrete wall around it like a penitentiary. All that's missing is electrified razor-wire at the top...
YOU CANNOT ESCAPE FROM HARD ROCK CAFE!
To say I was disappointed is an understatement.
Until I went inside...
Those are clear drum kits with lights in them in the ceiling above the bar, and are really cool-looking in person.
Turns out it's a beautiful property done up in classic "Hard Rock Style" with plenty of memorabilia plastered over every available surface... just as God intended a Hard Rock to be. The interior of the property is positively massive, and is able to hold 300 people (the deck outside can hold an additional 150)...
The hidden lighting in the ceiling is just beautiful.
Memorabilia everywhere... now THIS is a Hard Rock!
Facing the deck-side of the building.
So while it may be boring on the outside, it's 100% Hard Rock on the inside... which is where it counts, I guess. They even have a stage for live music...
Disco ball included.
My dinner, as expected, was very good. Getting a waiter was a little slow, but I arrived before the actual dinner shift when they were getting everything set up, so that was perfectly understandable. Service was fine after that, and the staff was really nice and friendly, which made my visit all the better.
So... if you happen to be in Bucharest, it's worth taking a quick trip north to Herastrau and a very impressive Hard Rock Cafe.
And, in non-Hard Rock news, Betty White continues her domination of all media by making a brilliant appearance on Ellen today...
Just when I think it's impossible for me to love Betty White even more that I do, she goes and proves me wrong. I can't wait for SNL in May!
And now I suppose I should get some work done so I can see a bit of the city tomorrow.
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Once inside, that is one kick ass Hard Rock Cafe. Nice.
Maybe the boring outside has to do with building codes or restrictions on what type of items can decorate the outside of a business.
I’m not sure of the building’s history… it’s entirely possible that it was formerly used by somebody else, and the Hard Rock just moved in and remodeled. All I know is that the awesome interior more than makes up for the exterior!
I have to say that of all your Hard Rock reviews, this is my fave. The decor of this one is just gorgeous! Thanks!
Does this mean you’ll be traveling to Bucharest sometime soon to see it in person? 🙂
You’re with DutchBitch? That’s awesome. Like Betty White awesome.
I was indeed hanging out with The DutchBitch back in the Netherlands, and it WAS pretty Betty White awesome!
Hey Dave, I want to ask a question inspired by an episode on House MD. You blog every single day, has blogging ever affected your life in any negative way? For example, you have aquired a stalker who follows you around everywhere you go, and since you blog about your location with pictures, the stalker uses those as clues to zero in on you.
I put your question over on my Tumblr “Ask Me Anything” page and answered it there… click here to see it!
If SNL was really smart, they’d have Christopher Walken make a cameo in a skit with Betty.
Walken & White…it’s like comedic nuclear fission waiting to happen.
OR… we could have Betty team up with Jessica Simpson. That would be like sex napalm waiting to happen! (especially if John Mayer were to be the musical guest).
Looks like you’ve found the perfect venue for TequilaCon: Bucharest next year.
We should be so lucky! Bucharest would be a pretty impressive TequilaCon International venue!
If you are doing TequilaCon in Bucharest I am IN!!
Just sayin’…
Reminds me of the Prague cafe, boring outside and totally amazing inside (under hotel ROTT, horrible name for a hotel btw) you better be going to Prague, Krakow or Moscow on this trip! All amazing places!
I’ve had the pleasure of being stuck in Schiphol while waiting for a flight to to London a number of years back. Was quite a nice airport as I recall. Or maybe I just had quite a lot of beer that it *seemed* nice 😉
I have said this to very few people in my illustrious life, so savor it: I.am.so.jealous.
Wow! I think that one may be the best one you’ve posted, yet!!
They should freaking PAY you for your reviews!